Dominate the ancient academy

Chapter 122 The Soul of Food

Shu Xiaoxiao was attracted by Yun Qinghan at first. When she glanced at the middle-aged man in front of Senior Brother Yun, she was a little confused as to who could chat with Yun Qinghan so easily.

You know, because of Yun Qinghan's identity and temperament, many people always feel a little nervous in front of him. It's rare to see the atmosphere between the two of them so relaxed.

As a result, when Shu Xiaoxiao got closer, she found that it was the Emperor Daning. Thanks to the misunderstanding that she had eaten too much ice and had a stomachache, she had met the emperor. Otherwise, it would be very bad if she really offended him.

No wonder it's so easy being around Yun Qinghan. He's a top boss. No one would be more relaxed than him in any situation, right?

Etiquette is an important part of Chinese culture. It is not only a necessary means to maintain imperial power, but also an important part of maintaining social relationships.

For students who are going to take scientific examinations, etiquette is of paramount importance. In modern times, if you have poor etiquette, at most you are considered to have low emotional intelligence, a lack of adaptability, and limited career development. But you can still change companies. As the saying goes, if you are not welcome here, there will be other places that will welcome you. Life is a life wherever you are.

If it were in today's situation, it would be an act of insubordination, and in front of the emperor, it would be a crime of disrespect. If the emperor is in a good mood, he will not care too much about it, and it will be just that you are good, I am good, and everyone is good.

But if you want to care about it, you don’t have the ability to resist.

Historically, in movies and TV shows, isn't it a must-see plot in every palace drama that concubines in the harem are beaten to death, banished to the cold palace, or demoted to a maid for losing their manners in front of the emperor? If this is the case for his own women, let alone others.

Therefore, all academies have etiquette classes to let students know that there are different ways of greeting when meeting officials of different ranks. The first thing to learn is definitely the etiquette when meeting the emperor.

Whether you have the opportunity to meet the emperor is one thing, but whether you can pay your respects is another.

Fortunately, Shu Xiaoxiao did not slack off in the etiquette class, and was not afraid to meet the emperor. After practicing etiquette for so long, it was time to show it off.

Fortunately, although the etiquette of Daning is complicated, it is still very humane. When meeting the emperor at ordinary times, one only needs to perform the auspicious ceremony, that is, bending over at a 90-degree angle and bowing. Only in more formal or important occasions does one need to kneel three times and kowtow nine times.

Unfortunately, it was just a bow, and Shu Xiaoxiao was stopped by Emperor Jingming before she could perform it.

"It is true that heroes emerge from youth. I have seen the previous sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and this sweet potato. Very good. The future of Daning still lies in young people like you!" Emperor Jingming sighed.

Many civil and military officials were helpless in the face of the lack of food. Even if they tried to find a way to deal with it, they could only solve the problem temporarily. The problem of food shortage could not be solved until it was solved by a young man who was not even twenty years old.

"I am just more interested in plants and it was also an accident. As a citizen of Daning, it is my honor to be able to help the emperor. As long as Daning needs it, I will absolutely do my best to help." Shu Xiaoxiao said righteously.

Shu Xiaoxiao said this, and she also thought so in her heart. As a citizen of Daning, she was protected by Daning and lived a peaceful and free life. It was natural for her to contribute her strength to Daning.

Emperor Jingming, as an emperor, has seen all kinds of people. He can tell at a glance whether a person is speaking the truth or just trying to flatter him.

What's more, Shu Xiaoxiao's pair of clear eyes showed not only determination but also the pride of being a Daning person, which made Emperor Jingming feel even happier. The affirmation of Daning was also the affirmation of him as the emperor!

Those clear eyes were indeed as simple-minded as Qinghan said, but the little guy had a very upright sense of right and wrong.

If someone like the little guy is a benefactor of Daning, then it is indeed as Eunuch Fu said, God is on Daning's side.

The emperor's vision is indeed sharp, but he doesn't know that Shu Xiaoxiao's simple personality is one thing, and as for her pride as a commoner of Daning, it really has nothing to do with Emperor Jingming.

As the saying goes, I have no regrets about coming to China in this life, and I will be a flower grower in the next life. Shu Xiaoxiao has always been proud of being a flower grower. Even if she traveled through time, she would only go back to the time of her ancestors, and she would still be a flower grower.

Seeing that the Emperor's uncle had a very good impression of the junior brother, Yun Qinghan said with a smile: "Uncle, this little guy is not only good at planting, but also very good at cooking. The fragrance you smell now is the pig-killing dish made by the junior brother."

"Oh, this taste is really overbearing. I didn't expect you to have such good cooking skills at such a young age."

Although Ye Xiao is the nephew of the general's wife, he lives in the countryside and leads a poor life. He even has to cook for himself, which is hard work. After all, he is a noble of the Daning Dynasty. It seems that he should be rewarded with more. It is impossible for those good-for-nothings to live in luxury, while the meritorious officials of the court have to cook for their own meals, right?

When Shu Xiaoxiao heard the emperor's praise for her cooking skills, she almost choked to death. She could only say awkwardly, "Ahem... Your Majesty... I'm not good at cooking... I can only make sure that the food I cook won't kill people.

But I like to eat delicious food. When I have nothing to do, I think about how to make delicious dishes. Usually, I tell others the steps and they make delicious dishes. If I make them myself... I don’t even dare to eat them myself.”

Emperor Jingming was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that there were such honest people. People with some status just open their mouths, right? Why did he have to do it himself? Just watching from the side was considered as doing it himself. Otherwise, why would he keep so many servants?

Even Yun Qinghan thought so. When his junior fellow apprentice was cooking, he gave instructions step by step, and sometimes he even had to find the ingredients himself. Doesn't that count as cooking by himself?

His mother had just given a casual order in the past, and that was considered participation, let alone his junior brother. This is the difference in cognition caused by identity.

"You are so honest. Take me to see the pig-killing dish you made."

Since Emperor Jingming said so, Shu Xiaoxiao would naturally not refute that the pig-killing dish was not made by her. Emperor Jingming is the most powerful, and what he says is the truth.

Shu Xiaoxiao led the way: "Your Majesty, this pig-killing dish is usually during the autumn harvest, when the people in the wealthier villages come together..."

As they walked, Shu Xiaoxiao explained to Emperor Jingming the origin of the pig-killing dish, and Emperor Jingming seemed very interested.

When they arrived in front of the big pot, white smoke was already rising. Shu Xiaoxiao stood on tiptoe and was about to reach out to lift the lid of the pot. Seeing his action, Yun Qinghan was startled and quickly pulled her back.

"what are you doing?"

Looking at Yun Qinghan's serious expression, Shu Xiaoxiao felt a little guilty for some reason: "It's smoking, should I... lift the lid of the pot?"

Before Yun Qinghan could say anything, Emperor Jingming laughed and said, "Little guy, it's just a matter of lifting the lid of a pot. Why do you need to do it yourself? Just tell the servants. With your small body, this pot is more than enough for two of you."

As soon as Emperor Jingming finished speaking, Eunuch Fu winked at the guard next to him, and the guard easily lifted the lid of the pot.

Shu Xiaoxiao looked at her body and smiled awkwardly. It was indeed not crowded enough for two of her to fit in the pot. Did she forget about it because she smelled the fragrance?

He quickly whispered to Yun Qinghan, who had a stern face, "Brother, I know I was wrong. I will definitely tell others to do it next time."

At this time, the thick white smoke from the big pot dissipated, the smell became stronger, and the meat pieces were brightly colored. Because the vegetables had not been added yet, it looked a bit monotonous visually, but because of the peppers, the unique aroma still increased people's appetite.

Shu Xiaoxiao instructed the guards beside her to put the prepared vegetables and side dishes into the pot, stir them, cover the pot and simmer for a while.

Emperor Jingming looked at the butchering dish and covered the pot, sniffed it gently, and asked curiously: "Is there any special seasoning in this dish? The smell is spicy and strong, not like the smell of dogwood."

Shu Xiaoxiao was a little surprised, and gave a thumbs up, exclaiming: "Your Majesty is amazing. What was put in it was neither dogwood nor special seasoning. It was the chili pepper that students discovered this year. The taste of dogwood is more sour and astringent, with a stronger sour taste, and sometimes a bit bitter, while the chili pepper is a combination of spiciness and fragrance. Its taste is as warm as the sun, and it is an indispensable part of the food."

Shu Xiaoxiao's face was full of excitement when she mentioned chili peppers. It didn't look like she was introducing something, but more like she was participating in a pyramid scheme. For people who like spicy food, chili peppers are the irreplaceable god. Without chili peppers, food would lose its soul.